YouTube Sponsorship Benchmarks
YouTube is a search engine, not a social feed. This makes it the most valuable platform for long-term ROI. Here is exactly what to pay and how to structure deals.
Average YouTube CPMs
Unlike TikTok, YouTube views accumulate over months or years. Pricing is traditionally based on the projected 30-day view count.
| Category | Integration (60s) | Dedicated Video |
|---|---|---|
| Software / B2B | $40 - $60+ CPM | $100 - $150 CPM |
| Finance / Crypto | $50 - $80 CPM | $120+ CPM |
| Lifestyle / Vlog | $15 - $25 CPM | $40 - $60 CPM |
| Gaming | $12 - $20 CPM | $30 - $50 CPM |
Tool: YouTube ROI Estimator
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Integration Placements
- Pre-roll (0:00 - 1:00): Highest retention, highest cost. Users often skip.
- Mid-roll (3:00 - 8:00): Best conversion rate if transitioned naturally. The standard.
- End-roll: Worthless. Retention drops to <5%. Never pay for this.